IDF forces on Friday night entered Gaza, remained there throughout the night and are still in Gaza as of now.

The IDF spokesman reported that since early Friday evening, combined combat forces of armor, combat engineers and infantry have been operating on the ground in the northern Gaza Strip. As part of the operation, IDF soldiers identified terrorist cells attempting to launch anti-tank missiles and mortar shells and struck them. IDF soldiers also identified and destroyed a booby-trapped structure.

In addition, IDF tanks directed IAF helicopters toward a Hamas operational meeting point for its terrorist operatives inside a building. The IAF struck the building.

In addition, several terrorist cells attempted to fire anti-tank missiles at the soldiers. The soldiers neutralized the cells.

An IDF UAV also located and struck Hamas terrorists in a booby-trapped structure.

According to reports, the IDF intentionally decided not to define the entry as a ground invasion, both in order to surprise Hamas and to allow the IDF to take the operation stage by stage. The coming 24 hours will be critical in deciding on the next stages of the ground operation.

On Friday night, the IDF attacked Gaza City and its environs from the sea as well, and during the operation eliminated another of Hamas' battalion commanders. The IAF destroyed 150 underground targets.

On Friday night, based on IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck the Head of Hamas' Aerial Array, Asem Abu Rakaba.

Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas' UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and aerial defense.

He took part in planning the massacre in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip on October 7th. He directed the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts.